Neat rows of small marble plaques mark the graves of those who rest here:

Nala, Kahlua, Rocky, Smokey — and Foo Foo Magoo, an adopted poodle.

In all, thousands of beloved pets are here in their final resting place at Gateway Pet Cemetery & Crematory, a tranquil, tree-shaded pocket of land next to the 215 Freeway at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains.

From dogs and cats to horses, alpacas and turtles — animals are respected here.

In the words of Justin, one of the two general managers, “We believe a pet is part of your family and deserving of the best care possible. At Gateway, we don’t bury and cremate animals, we bury and cremate pets.”

On a cool, foggy Monday, staff photographer Jennifer Maher and I toured the five-acre parcel with Justin, a former member of law enforcement, as he pointed out some of the poignant and personal tributes to the beloved “family members.”

Burials, cremations, memorials, and later — support groups — can help ease the pain of a pet’s death for families suffering a loss.

Founded in 1959, Gateway is a state-protected, family-owned cemetery and crematory administered by both Justin and his wife, Danielle, who understand the grieving process.

There are K-9s from local law enforcement agencies buried here, thoroughbred horses from Del Mar, and cats owned by a lady who has been burying her pets at Gateway since 1967. In her will she left a large sum of money for care of the cats as well as aftercare at Gateway.

“There’ve been options for a pet’s aftercare for many years, but often, people don’t know about it,” Justin said. “These days, more people are choosing cremation over burial because you can bring your pet home with you.”

Gateway works with veterinary hospitals throughout the Inland Empire.

Dr. Marc DiCarlo, a veterinarian and chief of staff at Animal Care Wellness Center in San Bernardino, has worked with Gateway on occasion.

“Gateway is run by compassionate and community-oriented people who take great pride in the respectful manner in which they care for our beloved departed pets,” he said.

“We have great trust in them and wholeheartedly recommend their services.”

A sponsor of the Norco Rodeo, Gateway’s services for pets — large and small — include standard cremations, burials, viewings, paw prints, poems and memorials tailored to each client’s wishes.

The cost for burial services at Gateway averages between $400 and $525. Cremations without burial are much less expensive, starting at $80.

Gateway offers free pick up of your pet and return of their ashes to your local vet. They service the High Desert as well as the rest of San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and parts of Los Angeles County.

“We choose to mimic the human funeral side,” office manager Adrianna Galanos said. “It’s not just a cremation, we take care of a beloved family pet.”

Circle of Life Pet Crematorium in Hemet cremates pets and returns the remains or will scatter ashes at sea. It refers grieving pet owners to support groups through Loma Linda University Medical Center or the San Diego Humane Society.